CONTROLS Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

controls 1 of 2

noun

plural of control

as in controllers

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

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as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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as in operations

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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as in powers

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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controls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of control

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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as in contains

to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

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as in rules

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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as in operates

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of controls

Noun

The overall look suggests a fuel canister, while physical features such as the bump guards that surround the front-panel buttons and the flip-up cover over the reset button recall fighter-jet controls. — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026 Arab-Israeli cooperation was impressive, but deeper diplomatic ties might have prevented the Omani co-pilot from being behind the controls. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 The company’s security controls technically worked, as the agent faithfully carried out the fraudster’s instructions. — Caryn Seidman Becker, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 Under wartime economic controls, consumers are last in line for gasoline and diesel after the military and defense industries, which by all accounts remain well supplied. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 If somebody can manipulate a $400 invoice and keep their job, what controls exist when the invoice is $40,000? — Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026 Some like Indiana and Delaware have already passed various versions of price controls. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026 Tel Aviv — The co-pilot accused of attacking his colleague on board the Flydubai flight to Israel and trying to seize the controls probably acted alone, Israeli sources told CNN. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Agent-wow does not use computer vision, screenshots, or direct keyboard and mouse controls. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

This game may come down to whichever team controls the clock and avoids turnovers. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 This year, swing districts with large Hispanic populations could help decide which party controls the House. — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026 Who controls education in Gaza is one of many unresolved questions about its postwar governance. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 That's because many market-watchers believe that political outcomes, like which party controls Congress or wins the presidency, can have meaningful impacts on the stock market. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan controls 65% of the market for health insurance products in Michigan, and 79% of PPO insurance plans, the attorney general said. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2026 So maybe a press release to People magazine wasn’t the smartest move when Todd still controls the checkbook. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026 Great Jones is owned by drinks giant Proximo Spirits, the company that also controls major brands like Bushmills and Jose Cuervo. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026 Whether Apple is actually preparing that product is besides the point, Luria added that just the possibility shows how limited Oura’s competitive position could be against a company that controls the entire iPhone ecosystem. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls

Noun

The console lets users play N64 games with their original cartridges and controllers, using FPGA hardware instead of emulation software—the standard for retro machines—so there’s no lag during play.

— Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Besides running controllers with outdated firmware, the affected stores likely also failed to put the devices behind a VPN and create a restricted list of IP addresses allowed to log in.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of controllers

Noun

But the power this concentrates in the hands of one corporation and person – SpaceX and Musk – has raised alarm bells.

— Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese and blue cheese in a bowl with gloved hands or in a food processor until blended.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

Marshall has consistently voted against Senate War Powers Resolutions aimed at halting or restricting military operations in Iran.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Russia's Ryazan oil refinery has suspended operations at a primary crude distillation unit after a drone attack in the region on Thursday, two industry sources told Reuters.

— Arathy Somasekhar Reuters, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of operations

Noun

Billy, now inhabiting the body of and living as William, was then able to use his powers to help Tommy’s soul find a new body to inhabit.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Even some of the most traditional powers that the sport has to offer have busted out some new uniform combinations to get their fans excited (think Georgia's all-white threads and matching white helmet).

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of powers

Verb

The medications work by blocking certain chemical messengers in the part of the brain that regulates body temperature and manages sleep/wake cycles, according to the guidance.

— Shannon Firth, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
That finding is now being read against a parallel body of research on circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal clock that regulates eating, sleeping and other physiological processes.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

Peanut butter contains vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant in the body, as well as magnesium, which plays a role in muscle and nerve function.

— Trista Chan, HEALTH, 12 Oct. 2026
The center’s laboratory, in the basement of the School of Natural Resources, contains samples that pre-date Christianity and the Egyptian pyramids.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

Florida High School Athletic Association rules state that runners who don’t participate in district meets are ineligible for region races.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Rebekka Nygård Bak, an adviser to Greenland’s fisheries ministry, told the outlet that rules requiring bycatch-friendly equipment and better bycatch reporting could also help.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

The service Gracious and genial, the staff operates on a high level.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Systemwide, American operates more than 6,000 daily flights to over 350 destinations across 60+ countries, serving more than 200 million customers annually.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026